FOREWORD TO THE REISSUED EDITION

The purpose of the IEEE Press Series on Electromagnetic Wave Theory is to pub-
lish books of long-term archival significance in electromagnetics. Included are new
titles as well as reissues and revisions of recognized classics. The book Electromag-
netic Theory, by J. A. Stratton is one such classic.
Originally published in 194I , Strattons book has formed an integral part of the
electromagnetic education of both physics and electrical engineering graduate stu-
dents for over sixty years. In addition, virtually every electromagnetic researcher I
know has a copy in hidher library. Unfortunately, the book is out of print. It is our
purpose to rectify this situation.
When I consult my copy of this classic book, I never cease to be amazed at its
timeliness. The equivalence principle is strongly rooted in the Stratton-Chu inver-
sion of the vector wave equations, contained on pages 464-470. The Hansen vectors
are introduced and exploited in Chapter VII. The Sommerfeld problem is discussed
in Section 9.28. Natural modes along circular cylinders embedded in a lossy medi-
um are developed in Section 9.15. I could go on and on. Suffice it to say that the de-
velopment of the theory and the inclusion of examples remain of current interest to-
day.
Professor Stratton had an amazing career, culminating with his succession to the
presidency of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Another former
president, Professor Paul E. Gray, has kindly agreed to write an introduction to this
reissued edition, highlighting Strattons achievements. I am indebted to Professor
Strattons surviving spouse, Kay Stratton, who kindly agreed to our reissue plans
and then assisted in making the project possible. In addition, I should like to thank
Carol Fleishauer, Associate Director for Collection Services of the MIT Libraries
who made available from their archives a pristine copy of the book for our use in
the reissue.
Over the past twelve years, I have received many requests worldwide to reissue
this book. It is with great pleasure that I welcome it to the IEEE Press Series on
Electromagnetic Wave Theory.

DONALD G . DUDLEY
University of Arizona

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Professor Julius Adams Stratton. Courtesy MIT Museum.